Help Amy recover!

Amy truly is the epitome of a selfless person and is truly one of a kind. She is a phenomenal woman, friend, aunt, daughter, sister and educator. Amy has given her heart and soul into teaching since day one. While teaching at Longfellow elementary she took so many children under her wing and truly made a difference in so many children's lives. In addition to teaching in the classroom, she also taught swim lessons for Wolfies Swim School. Amy is to credit for so many children being great swimmers and safe and comfortable in the water. In July of 2020 she made the move from Houston to Austin to be closer to her beloved nieces and nephews and family. She

began teaching at Giddens elementary where she quickly began fundraising to get her students educational material that helps them in their learning experience in her classroom. It is our turn to pay it forward and help a truly amazing educator.

Amy tested positive for COVID-19 and pneumonia on Monday 8/30. Less than 24 hours earlier she was swimming and playing with her nieces and nephews. Because she needed oxygen (the same day she found out she had it) she unfortunately didn’t meet criteria for monoclonal antibodies. Amy quickly progressed in needing more oxygen and was hospitalized on 8/31. Her IVs kept going out and she quickly needed a central line after so many painful pokes. She developed clots in her legs another complication of COVID. Her chest and throat burned like fire when she would have coughing attacks. She would panic when she couldn’t breathe. Her nose and gums were bleeding from being dried out from the painful high flow of oxygen. She continued to deteriorate over the week and went the Intensive Care Unit on 9/5. The next day, she was placed on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation because of the severity of her COVID pneumonia. The ECMO helps oxygenate her body while her lungs can rest and heal. She is in extreme pain. She is frightened and isolated. But she is not alone. She knows this will be a long and bumpy road but she is up for it she said, “so [she]can get home to her family and friends”. This woman is a fighter and shining spirit and lives to help others, especially children who need education and nurturing.

Amy was fully vaccinated and we shutter to think what if she had gotten it a year ago without the vaccine. She eats healthy and takes care of herself. She wears her mask at work and in public and carries hand sanitizer around. She did everything right.

Amy has a long road to recovery and it is unknown when she will be able to return to the classroom where she thrives. We want to make sure Amy isn't concerned with the bills that are piling up and focused on her recovery.